iggyting

This wire-ly thing: a question of 'return on investment'? My experience is no return, all investment! hahaha! But seriously improvement there is especially on a home system. Dont know about a portable ( wonder why the fashion guru don't come up with a hearing aid that looks like a headphone). Recently I took the trouble to terminate well a canare wire as an extension wire to my headphone - to be a lounge lizard. I also picked up an off-the-counter Daiyo OFC copper factory-termianted extension for $12/= at the same time. After some hearing, I decided to stick with the Daiyo and cold-store the other. I am still waiting for a friend in need of a pair of wires. I would try to sell him a pair of hangers; and who knows, I most probably shall give them to him for free. But good friends are hard to come by these days!

Good point also. No system can reproduce with 100% fidelity what is recorded. However, it can add to(coloration) or more likely minus from(signal loss) from the recording. I think the improvement is not on the recording (the source material:garbage in-garbage out is true) but on the limitations of the HiFi system which is trying to reproduce as faithfully and as fully as possible on what has been recorded. I say even with the most expensive system (the source-amplification-transducer) the interconnects are a weak conduit. There again the cost spent on the interconnects should be in sensible proportion to the whole. Maybe we miss the point: part of audiophile is about 'what's the best there is' - the bug in our mental system! Hahaha! Enjoy it while still alive!

Yeah, I believe a degree of interpretation is desirable, even unavoidable, for a masterpiece to enthrall each new generation. However, some artists take it a bit too far. More like a personal ergo trip, thinking that's how it should be! In this regard, I think some crossover music can be disconcerting. I have heard operatic singers doing jazz and pops idols trying operatic. Imagine Pavarotti doing a Micheal Jackson, and vice versa. Where is the rhythm!Move that hips Pava! Give me a high "C" Micheal! I wonder anybody has a say on modern classical music.

So how? Between the deep blue sea and the devil!

I was curious whether the Berliner Philharmonkier sounded different under Karajan from that under Abbado or Rattle. I got hold of the Beethoven 9th under 1996 Sony label, BP conducted by Abbado, and compared it with the 1963 DG version, BP under Karajan. Maybe it was the recording or the reading under the two conductors (I believe the latter), the difference was noticeable. Karajan's reading was heavy-weighted, bitingly intense and energetic. On the other hand, Abbado wrought a lighter touch, a 'softer' reading. The second movement (Molto Vivace) contrasted well the difference in style. The slow movement (the Adagio) was slower under Karajan but it was a highly 'spiritual' reading. In this movement under Karajan, the interplays between the strings, the woodwinds and the brass were like the gentle ebb and flow of tides in a calm sea, at times the symphonic sound seemed to hover - very ethereal. Overall, BP's sound under Karajan was lush and majestic whereas under Abbado, better described as moderated and delightful. Under Abbado, Beethoven's 'The Creatures of Prometheus' (the bonus track in the same CD) was like a dance and very 'Mozartian'. Perhaps the difference in the musical developments of Karajan in the great European symphonic medium and of Abbado in the operatic affected their readings. I thought the Beethoven I read about, the images of him, and his music , altogether speaks of an intense and fiery personality, which accorded more to the readings of his music by the Berlin Philharmonkier under Karajan. This is very personal; I would have to give a tongue-in-cheek salute to the German maestro: Hail Karajan!

Hi Steve, why not try the agent Alpha Audio, 63379011. I bought one from them. How does it happen anyway? rgds, iggyting

Yes, the infamous purge of Jewish-German players (a majority) in the BP during Hitler's time depleted the orchester. Karajan and the BP were shunned by the Jewish communities after the war but in later years they were accepted. But we should realised those were evil times and people lived under duress and danger. The present Pope was forced into the Nazi youth movement as a child! How he hated that! Anyway, will be interested to check out Rattle's and Abbado's BP sound. Thanks.

Good ramblings. I wonder under Abbado and Rattle, has the Berlin Phil famous Karajan's sound morphed into something different? I have not bought any recent recordings by them under both conductors.

A lot of history and European tradition behind the Berliner Philharmoniker. It came to prominent when led by Karajan because of extensive recordings under DG label. Under karajan, the sound was distinctive. You can't miss the coherence yet detailed nuances of the orchester in full sound. Both the strings and brass sections packed with very professional players. Latelt there are many re-issues of the Karajan's great recordings , worth collecting if you have not done so. My two-cents worth!

Surprisingly I have yet to listen to her long enough though she is well regarded. I spent about 5 minutes listening to her Brahm's violin concerto in a cd shop. She was a teen then? Anyway, enough to recognise her technically accomplished and crisp delivery. Maybe someone can better presents her. I feel 'serious music' should encompass all sorts of music which move 'the pysche and soul'. In this regard I would consider jazz, folks and ethnical music in this category. Jazz was a unique Black American experience as the sitar was Indian. Maybe someone would like to give a thought here. For some examples I would find Nina Simone's redition of 'House of the Rising Sun' and Eva Cassidy's 'Autumn Leaves' particularly moving and 'serious'.

Yeah, I think speakers and headphones are two complementary systems. Two different experiences. It takes a lot more expenses to achieve the sound quality level from a speaker-system to that of a headphone-system. Whereas the former gives you a sound source infront of you (daresay a 'physical' soundstage), the latter often places it between your head(or your ears if you have two. Hahaha!). The 'in-your-head' sound experience is what many people find unsatisfactory. However, this also gives an intimate and 'right-in-the-performance' experience that is very satisfying and unique, especially for voices and small essembles. In my experience, if you can find a good synergy in the source-amp-headphone combination, one can experience a good soundstage as well. I find an all-tube combination synergy best in this respect. Oh...again the old obsession...where is that heavenly sound?

Too many good music really! I agree Howard Shore LOTR cds are good, sonically and as an original composition. Also, try Richard Strauss "Four Last Songs' by Jessye Norman, Gewandhaus-Orchester Leipzip conducted by Kurt Masur, under Philips label. regards, iggyting

Ahem! People who had OOB (out-of-body experience) reported hearing 'heavenly music'. So looks like what we are seeking is a part-of-heaven experience in the wrong place called earth. Hahaha! No wonder all the world is caught up with music! Anyone want to top up the list, "You Know You Are Obsessed When..." - ...you stood stripped naked with only the headphones on while the official receiver was moving all your belongings out.... ...you woke up with an ear-ache and a twisted pair of cans... ...?

Do you folks see any further developments to this headphone obsession? How about customising headphones to individual needs:- ....like stereoscopic earphones leading to a mp3 device for doctors. Hope the doctor dont mistaken the music for the heartbeats! ....like soundsurround headphones with front n rear statelite units orbiting around your head! ....like a 3-piece headphones for the pole-dancers! ....like an attenna-bearing headphone for connectivity with another commuter with similar gear! ....like a paper headphone wrapped round your ears while you RIP...the final obsession..hahaha! ....like.....like...the list can go on!

Hi folks, Life an endless repeat is it not? Listening to music is a good hobby. It 'bores' you, then restart again...just like your life, right? Anyway, we can keep our interest renewed by venturing into various forms n kind of music. Part of this renewal is delving into high fidelity, headphone n speaker systems. Variety is the spice of life! But spend affordably. Sorry to bore you, iggyting